Bodily Emission Analysis

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/624,533 to Attar filed Apr. 2, 2024 (published as US 2024/0248041), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/085,685 to Attar filed Dec. 21, 2022 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,971,356), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/462,147 to Attar filed Aug. 31, 2021 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,561,181), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/325,632 to Attar filed Feb. 14, 2019 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,467,091), which is the US national phase of International application PCT/IL2017/050966 to Attar (published as WO 18/042431), filed Aug. 30, 2017, entitled “Bodily emission analysis,” which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/381,288 to Kapp-Barnea, filed Aug. 30, 2016, entitled “Bodily emission analysis.”

The above-referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Some applications of the present invention generally relate to analysis of bodily emissions. Specifically, some applications of the present invention relate to apparatus and methods for analyzing bodily emissions such as urine and feces.

Colorectal cancer is the development of cancer in portions of the large intestine, such as the colon or rectum. Gastric cancer is a malignancy of the stomach. Detection of blood in feces is used as a screening tool for colorectal cancer, as well as for gastric cancer. However, the blood is often occult blood, i.e., blood that is not visible. The stool guaiac test is one of several methods that detect the presence of blood in feces, even in cases in which the blood is not visible. A fecal sample is placed on a specially prepared type of paper, called guaiac paper, and hydrogen peroxide is applied. In the presence of blood, a blue color appears on the paper. A patient who is suspected of suffering from colorectal cancer or gastric cancer will typically be assessed using a colonoscopy, a gastroscopy, a sigmoidoscopy, and/or external imaging techniques, such as CT, PET, and/or MRI.

Bladder cancer is a condition in which cancerous cells multiply within the epithelial lining of the urinary bladder. Detection of blood in urine can be useful in screening for bladder cancer. Techniques for detecting blood include placing a test strip that contains certain chemicals into sample of the urine and detecting a color change of the test strip.

In accordance with some applications of the present invention, a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl (such as feces or urine) is analyzed automatically. Typically, while the bodily emission is disposed within the toilet bowl, light (which is reflected from the contents of the toilet bowl) is received from the toilet bowl using one or more light sensors, for example, one or more cameras. Using a computer processor, one or more spectral components within the received light that are indicative of light absorption by a component of erythrocytes are detected, by analyzing the received light (e.g., by performing spectral analysis on the received light). In response thereto, the computer processor determines that there is a presence of blood within the bodily emission.

For some applications, the computer processor estimates the amount of the blood within the bodily emission. For some applications, the computer processor determines the location within the gastrointestinal tract that is the source of the blood. For example, the computer processor may determine that time duration over which the blood has aged in anaerobic conditions, by analyzing spectral components within the received light, in order to determine the location within the gastrointestinal tract that is the source of the blood. Alternatively or additionally, the computer processor may analyze the extent to which the blood is spread throughout the feces, and/or a location of the blood within the feces, in order to determine the location within the gastrointestinal tract that is the source of the blood.

The computer processor typically generates an output on an output device (such as a phone, tablet device, server, or personal computer). For some applications, an output is generated indicating that the subject should visit a healthcare professional, and/or indicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode. For some applications, the output device includes an output component (such as a light (e.g., an LED) or a screen) that is built into the device. Typically, subsequent to the subject emitting the bodily emission into the toilet bowl, the above-described steps are performed without requiring any action to be performed by any person. Thus, for example, the subject is not required to add anything to the toilet bowl in order to facilitate the determination of whether there is blood in the emission.

For some applications, the apparatus analyzes and logs the results of multiple bodily emissions of the subject over an extended period of time, e.g., over more than one week, or more than one month. Typically, in this manner, the apparatus is configured to screen for the presence of early stage cancer and/or polyps, which characteristically bleed only intermittently. For some applications, the apparatus compares the amount of blood that is detected in bodily emissions (e.g., feces), over a period of time, to a threshold amount.

For some applications, the apparatus and methods described herein are used to detect microorganisms within feces, and/or to detect changes therein over time. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus and methods described herein are used to detect and classify white blood cells within feces, and/or to detect changes therein over time.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, apparatus for use with feces of a subject that are disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, the apparatus including:

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to determine the source of the blood by measuring an extent to which the blood is spread throughout the feces. In some applications, the computer processor is configured to determine the source of the blood by measuring a location of the blood within the feces.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generate an output by generating an output indicating that the subject should visit a healthcare professional. In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generate an output by generating an output indicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to determine the source of the blood from within the subject's gastrointestinal tract by measuring intensities of at least first and second spectral components within the received light, and normalizing the measured intensity of the first spectral component with respect to the measured intensity of the second spectral component.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to measure the intensity of the first spectral component by measuring a first spectral component, within the received light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 590 nm and 1000 nm, and the computer processor is configured to measure the intensity of the second spectral component by measuring a second spectral component, within the received light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 520 and 590 nm.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to measure the intensity of the first spectral component by measuring a first spectral component, within the received light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 480 nm and 520 nm, and the computer processor is configured to measure the intensity of the second spectral component by measuring a second spectral component, within the received light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 520 and 590 nm.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to normalize the measured intensity of the first spectral component with respect to the measured intensity of the second spectral component by calculating a ratio between the measured intensity of the first spectral component and the measured intensity of the second spectral component.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to calculate the ratio between the measured intensity of the first spectral component and the measured intensity of the second spectral component by calculating a ratio between a measured intensity of a first spectral component, within the received light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 480 nm and 520 nm, and a measured intensity of a second spectral component, within the received light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 520 and 590 nm.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to calculate the ratio between the measured intensity of the first spectral component and the measured intensity of the second spectral component by calculating a ratio between a measured intensity of a first spectral component, within the received light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 590 nm and 1000 nm, and a measured intensity of a second spectral component, within the received light, that is centered around a wavelength of between 520 and 590 nm.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, a method for use with feces of a subject that are disposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, the apparatus including:

In some applications, the bodily emission includes feces, and the computer processor is configured to determine that there is a presence of the microorganism within the bodily emission by determining that there is a presence of the microorganism within the feces. In some applications, the bodily emission includes urine, and the computer processor is configured to determine that there is a presence of the microorganism within the bodily emission by determining that there is a presence of the microorganism within the urine.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to detect the set of three or more spectral components that have the characteristic relationship with each other in the light spectrum of the microorganism by detecting one or more spectral components that are due to fluorescence of the microorganism.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generate an output by generating an output indicating that the subject should visit a healthcare professional. In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generate an output by generating an output indicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, a method for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, the apparatus including:

In some applications, the bodily emission includes feces, and the computer processor is configured to determine that there is a presence of the microorganism within the bodily emission by determining that there is a presence of the microorganism within the feces. In some applications, the bodily emission includes urine, and the computer processor is configured to determine that there is a presence of the microorganism within the bodily emission by determining that there is a presence of the microorganism within the urine.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to detect three or more spectral components that are characteristic spectral components at which the given microorganism emits fluorescent light, the three or more spectral components having a characteristic relationship with each other in a fluorescent spectrum of the microorganism.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generate an output by generating an output indicating that the subject should visit a healthcare professional. In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generate an output by generating an output indicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, a method for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, the apparatus including:

In some applications, the bodily emission includes feces, and the computer processor is configured to determine that there is a presence of the white blood cells within the bodily emission by determining that there is a presence of the white blood cells within the feces. In some applications, the bodily emission includes urine, and the computer processor is configured to determine that there is a presence of the white blood cells within the bodily emission by determining that there is a presence of the white blood cells within the urine.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to detect three or more spectral components that are characteristic spectral components at which the white blood cells emits fluorescent light, the three or more spectral components having a characteristic relationship with each other in a fluorescent spectrum of the white blood cells.

In some applications, the computer processor is further configured to classify the detected white blood cells as a given type of white blood cell.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generate an output by generating an output indicating that the subject should visit a healthcare professional. In some applications, the computer processor is configured to generate an output by generating an output indicating a predicted upcoming inflammatory bowel disease episode.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, a method for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, apparatus for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, and an output device, the apparatus including:

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to estimate the amount of blood within the bodily emission by estimating a concentration of blood within the bodily emission. In some applications, the computer processor is configured to estimate the amount of blood within the bodily emission by estimating a volume of blood within the bodily emission.

In some applications, the bodily emission includes feces, and the computer processor is configured to estimate the amount of blood within the bodily emission by estimating an amount of blood within the feces. In some applications, the bodily emission includes urine, and the computer processor is configured to estimate the amount of blood within the bodily emission by estimating an amount of blood within the urine.

In some applications, the computer processor is configured to detect the set of three or more spectral components that have the characteristic relationship with each other in the light absorption spectrum of the component of blood by detecting a set of three or more spectral components that have a characteristic relationship with each other in a light absorption spectrum of a component of blood selected from the group consisting of: oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, heme, and platelets.

There is further provided, in accordance with some applications of the present invention, a method for use with a bodily emission of a subject that is disposed within a toilet bowl, the method including:

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:

Reference is now made to, which is a schematic illustration of apparatusfor analyzing a bodily emission, in accordance with some applications of the present invention. As shown, apparatustypically includes a sensor module, which is placed inside a toilet bowl. For some applications (not shown), the sensor module (and/or additional components of the apparatus) is integrated into the toilet bowl. The sensor module includes an imaging component, which in turn includes one or more light sensors that are configured to receive light from bodily emissions (typically, urine or feces) that were emitted by the subject and are disposed inside the toilet bowl. For example, the light sensors may include a spectrometer, or may include one or more cameras, as described in further detail hereinbelow. A computer processor analyzes the received light, and determines whether there is a presence of blood inside the bodily emission. Typically, the computer processor detects one or more spectral components within the received light that are indicative of light absorption by a component of erythrocytes, by analyzing the received light (e.g., by performing spectral analysis on the received light). (Such spectral components are referred to herein as examples of a blood signature, since certain combinations of such components, as described herein, are indicative of the presence of blood.) Further typically, the steps of receiving light, analyzing the received light, and determining whether there is a presence of blood inside the bodily emission are performed without requiring any action to be performed by any person (e.g., the user, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional) subsequent to the subject emitting the bodily emission into the toilet bowl.

For some applications, apparatusincludes a power source(e.g., a battery pack), that is disposed outside the toilet bowl inside a housing, as shown in. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor module is connected to mains electricity (not shown). Typically, the power source and sensor moduleare connected wiredly (as shown), or wirelessly (not shown). In accordance with respective applications, the computer processor that performs the above described analysis is disposed inside the toilet bowel (e.g., inside the same housing as the sensor module), inside housing, or remotely. For example, as shown, the sensor module may communicate wirelessly with a user interface devicethat includes a computer processor. Such a user interface device may include, but is not limited to, a phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a different sort of personal computing device. The user interface device typically acts as both an input device and an output device, via which the user interacts with sensor module. The sensor module may transmit data to the user interface device and the user interface device computer processor may run a program that is configured to analyze the light received by the imaging module and to thereby detect whether there is a presence of blood inside the subject's bodily emission.

For some applications, sensor moduleand/or the user interface device communicates with a remote server. For example, the apparatus may communicate with a physician or an insurance company over a communication network without intervention from the patient. The physician or the insurance company may evaluate the results and determine whether further testing or intervention is appropriate for the patient. For some applications, data relating to the received light are stored in a memory (such as memorydescribed hereinbelow). For example, the memory may be disposed inside the toilet bowel (e.g., inside the sensor unit), inside housing, or remotely. Periodically, the subject may submit the stored data to a facility, such as a healthcare facility (e.g., a physician's office, or a pharmacy) or an insurance company, and a computer processor at the facility may then perform the above-described analysis on a batch of data relating to a plurality of bodily emissions of the subject that were acquired over a period of time.

It is noted that the apparatus and methods described herein include a screening test in which the subject is not required to physically touch the bodily emission. Furthermore, the subject is typically only required to touch any portion of the dedicated sensing apparatus periodically, for example, in order to install the device, or to change or recharge the device batteries. (It is noted that the subject may handle the user interface device, but this is typically a device (such as a phone) that subject handles even when not using the sensing apparatus.) Further typically, the apparatus and methods described herein do not require adding anything to the toilet bowl subsequent to the subject emitting a bodily emission into the toilet bowl, in order to facilitate the spectral analysis of the emission, and/or a determination that the emission contains blood. For some applications, the subject is not required to perform any action after installation of the apparatus in the toilet bowl. The testing is automatic and handled by the apparatus, and monitoring of the subject's emissions is seamless to the subject and does not require compliance by the subject, so long as no abnormality is detected.

Typically, subsequent to the subject emitting a bodily emission into the toilet bowl (and typically once the subject has finished excreting the bodily emission, and the bodily emission is at least partially disposed within the water of the toilet bowl), the bodily emission is imaged by receiving reflected and/or transmitted light from the toilet bowl, without requiring any action to be performed by any person subsequent to the emission. For some applications, the bodily emission is analyzed during the emission of the bodily emission into the toilet bowl. Typically, the computer processor (a) analyzes (e.g., spectrally analyzes) the received light, (b) in response thereto, determines whether that there is a presence of blood within the bodily emission (and/or performs the additional functionalities described herein with respect to the bodily emission), and (c) generates an output at least partially in response thereto, all without requiring any action to be performed by any person subsequent to the emission. It is noted that for some applications, an input is requested from the subject, via the user interface device, if an indication of the presence of blood in the bodily emission is detected, as described in further detail hereinbelow. However, even for such applications, it is determined that there is a presence of blood based upon the automatic spectral analysis, and the user input is used in order to determine the source of the blood, and/or to determine whether or not the source of the blood is a cause for concern.

For some applications, for each emission of the subject, in the case of positive signal, the apparatus reports the finding to the patient via an output device, e.g., via user interface device.

For some applications, the output device includes an output component (such as a light (e.g., an LED) or a screen) that is built into apparatus. For some applications, if the analysis of the bodily emission indicates that there is blood present inside the emission, the computer processor drives the user interface to request an input from the subject, by asking the user some verification questions. For example, the user interface device may ask the user “Did you eat red meat in the 24 hours prior to your recent stool emission?” since red meat consumption may cause a false positive due to the meat containing blood. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface device may ask the user “Have you used aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs?” since the intake of such drugs has been shown to cause bleeding in the stomach or gastrointestinal tract of susceptible individuals. For some applications, the data are analyzed locally but the results are transmitted to the healthcare provider or to insurance carrier over a network connection.

For some applications, the apparatus monitors bodily emissions of the subject over an extended period of time, e.g., over more than one week, or more than one month. Typically, in this manner, the apparatus is configured to screen for the presence of malignancies and/or polyps, which characteristically bleed only intermittently. For some applications, the apparatus compares the amount of blood that is detected in bodily emissions (e.g., feces), over a period of time, to a threshold amount. It is known that there is a level of normal, physiologic, non-pathogenic gastro-intestinal bleeding, which has been estimated as averaging less than 2 ml/day. Intestinal bleeding that is greater than 2 ml/day is considered abnormal. (It is noted that the precise amount that is considered abnormal may differ for each person, depending, for example, on age and sex. Thus, for example, for mature women, normal blood concentration in stool may be considered to be below 64 microgram/gram, whereas for mature males anything above 20 microgram/gram may be considered abnormal.) Therefore, for some applications, the threshold is calibrated to enhance specificity of the sensing, such that alerts will not be generated if the level of bleeding is consistent with normal, physiologic, non-pathogenic gastro-intestinal bleeding, but will generate an alert, if, for example, the level of bleeding is indicative of the presence of cancer and/or polyps.